Jadeveon Clowney fires shot at Clemson, gives props to Dabo Swinney as Panthers open camp

Coming out of high school in the state of South Carolina, Jadeveon Clowney was one of the most coveted prospects in college football history. Tabbed as the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation, he chose to stay home to play for South Carolina Gamecocks and Steve Spurrier. Now playing for the Carolina Panthers, Clowney decided to fire a shot at his former in-state rival, the Clemson Tigers. The Panthers opened up camp playing in Clemson’s stadium on Thursday night.

Panthers DE and former Gamecock Jadeveon Clowney: “It’s easy to come back” to Clemson since he won here so much at USC. But adds Clemson has a great recruiting setup and he’s got “big love” for Dabo Swinney pic.twitter.com/YdY4ueUkuW

— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) August 2, 2024

“It’s easy to come back, because I know what happened to me when I was here, so. It was good. Had a good time,” Clowney explained when referencing to South Carolina’s dominance over Clemson in his college days.

He did give Clemson plenty of praise for their facilities on Thursday evening. “They probably have one of the best recruiting setups..” he explained. Clowney also mentioned that he has “big love” for Dabo Swinney.

Clowney tackle in camp sparked fight at Panthers practice

Tempers flared Tuesday during Carolina Panthers practice after defensive end Jadeveon Clowney delivered a hard hit on running back Chuba Hubbard.

In what appeared to be an 11-on-11 drill, Hubbard made a spin move at the line of scrimmage into Clowney. Clowney’s hit sent Hubbard to the ground, sparking a mini scuffle. Third-year offensive tackle Ickey Ekwonu was among those who stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating.

With the pads coming on at training camps across the league this week, stuff like this was bound to happen. This isn’t the first skirmish we’ve seen, and it won’t be the last either. Fortunately, this one didn’t get out of hand and practice continued as planned.

Clowney, 31, is the new guy on the block in Carolina, signing a two-year, $20 million deal with a max value of $24 million this past March. It’s somewhat familiar territory for Clowney, who grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and played collegiately for the Gamecocks.

Panthers bring in Jadeveon Clowney to help improve pass rush

Clowney spent the 2023 campaign with the Baltimore Ravens, tying a career high 9.5 sacks. The 2023 season represented the first season in which Clowney suited up for a full season since 2017. That was Clowney’s penultimate season with the Houston Texans, who selected him No. 1 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Clowney is rocking the No. 7, the number he made famous in a South Carolina uniform. He hopes to help the Panthers, who went 2-15 last season, turn things around this season.

“I think we can turn this thing around and have some fun here,” Clowney said earlier this year. “I’m looking for something great for this upcoming season. The division [NFC South] was tight last year regardless of what people say. It’s no reason to think the Panthers can’t come out on top of the division this year and make the playoffs.”

Hubbard, meanwhile, had his best season as a pro in 2023. He rushed for 902 yards on 3.8 yards per carry and five touchdowns and comes into camp this season as the RB1 with rookie Jonathon Brooks on the PUP list.

On3’s Brian Jones also contributed to this article.